Chapter 5

OLIVIA

Chase offered to send me home after that suffocating gathering we had in his house. I was sitting comfortably on the shotgun seat, gaze wandering on the streets we passed by. I made several sighs. I didn't know why but I felt so tired on the first day of my pretense.

This thing was harder than I thought, not to add that Chase's family acted so strange in front of me which gave me an idea that they didn't like Reese Jones for Chase at all. They thought I was going crazy, that was for sure. Because if not, they wouldn't try to push the idea of me going to a psychiatrist and would reason out a lot just to move the wedding that was supposed to happen this week. Even his sister. That Chandria obviously didn't like me coming back, or should I say Reese.

I glanced at him. His eyes were fixated on the road as he maneuvered the car. My eyes couldn't help but memorize his face. He was truly good looking, a god-like man who was made perfectly by someone above. I didn't really get why Reese left this guy . . . Chase Maxwell was truly a jackpot and she only left him without a single word. I would say it was unethical and an absurd decision. Was it really how rich women act?

"Staring is rude, Reese." His mouth twitched for a quick smile.

I chuckled awkwardly and cleared my throat after. Was I so fascinated in his face that I didn't realize I was staring at him for too long? That was embarrassing!

"Now that I think about it, we've been together for how many years but it was the first time I felt that kind of kiss from you," he said and then looked at me for a second then turned his eyes back on the road. "I can't describe it but it felt so different and I really like it."

His statement made me feel uncomfortable. Why did he have to open up such a topic? It was just a damn kiss!

"And maybe you only missed me, that's why you thought it's different. Nothing has changed, Chase. Don't be confused," I replied, hands sweating with the thought that I might have kissed him differently compared to how Reese gives him kisses.

"You're right." He chuckled, His one hand reached for my hand and kissed the back of it. "I miss you so much, Reese . . . and I can't wait for us to get married," he uttered and smiled genuinely.

I felt bad that I had to deceive this guy who only hoped to love and be loved by that girl, Reese Jones. If only I had another choice . . .

Money is the root of all evil, as people say. I could confirm it was true because here I was, stuck in a life that's full of deception in order to get some money out of Chase's pocket and to survive this cruel world.

I pity him but I pity myself more than anyone. That's why I had to do this, no matter what or who would be the casualty of my own actions. Even if it was Chase. I inhaled heavily and glanced back at the window.

I guess it would be easier if I would treat this mess as a part of my job, that this guy was my customer and I had to play the role of Reese Jones, the soon-to-be wife of this billionaire. And in order for my acting to be believable, I should contact Lara to help me do some research about Reese.

I needed some information about her, how she dresses . . . what are her likes and dislikes, even how she normally moves and speaks . . . I need to copy her overall demeanor!

I also needed to know every bit of her body, even if it was just a mole or scars. What if she had a tattoo? It would be awkward if I slept with Chase and then he would figure out that some random tattoo was missing from his girl's body. In short, I really had to copy her up to the point that someone wouldn't be able to tell who is who.

I recalled one certain topic Mrs. Maxwell had opened up during our lunch. She did mention a swimming competition that Reese had to attend. Now, how do I escape from that? Never in my entire life had I learned how to swim. If someone pushed me to the swimming pool, I'd be dead in an instant.

I felt a throbbing pain in my head as I realized that Reese and I were completely different. She excelled in sports, something that was totally opposite of me. I hated sports, to be honest. The only thing I knew was how to work for money.

But I guess I should try new things this time. Learning how to swim should be the first one on the list. Little by little, I would be able to replicate that woman. I took my phone from my bag and started taking notes . . .

I was completely consumed by my plans on how I would be able to copy Reese. My thoughts were only ripped out when Chase spoke beside me.

"We're already here, babe," he said. The car entered the main gate and stopped in front of the Jones' manor.

"Thank you for bringing me home," I said and smiled at him. Calling this home was still foreign to me but hopefully, I'd get used to this kind of set up.

I got out of the car and so did he. "Let me walk you inside."

I stared at him and rolled my eyes after a few seconds. "Are you always this clingy?"

He laughed and shook his head. He walked towards me and snaked his arm around my waist.

"Like I said earlier, I missed you so much."

"Fine!" I hissed, then chuckled.

When we reached the front door, he opened it for me. I couldn't suppress the smile on my lips as he acted like a gentleman, very sweet and thoughtful. But even though he had this kindness in him, I shouldn't get too attached to him. After all, I was just pretending to be his girl.

"You know what? I'm not a baby anymore. I can walk on my own," I said as I noticed how he held my hand and shoulder gently as we entered inside the manor.

He only smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Now, what was that for?" I raised a brow.

"Because you're acting so cute and I like it, Reese." He chuckled.

My eyes then squinted. "No need to impress me with your moves, young boy." I smirked.

He pouted his lips and I couldn't stop myself from teasing him more. We then walked our way to the living room. We sat on the couch. Mr. Smith, the butler, appeared out of nowhere to welcome us.

"Hello there, Ms. Reese, Sir Chase. Would you like anything, perhaps some drinks?" he offered as he glanced at the both of us.

"No, we're fine." Chase smiled and nodded.

When the butler left, he then moved closer to me.

"Now that we're alone, I guess we can continue where we left off . . ." he whispered in my ear.

To my surprise, his warm and seductive voice tickled my ear. I tilted my head away from him and was about to hit him in the arm when Mrs. Jones, who went home earlier than me, walked downstairs that made Chase move a little bit far from me.

Sneaky!

"Ooh, Chase! You're here! Thanks for sending my daughter home. I am sorry we had to leave earlier. Reese' father needed to finish some work in the company," Mrs. Jones exclaimed.

Chase cleared his throat and stood up. "Not a problem, Mrs. Jones. I'm glad you left your daughter with me." He glanced back at me. "You know that I missed her a lot and I'm trying to make up for the time we lost."

"That's so sweet of you, Chase." Mrs. Jones held her chest as if she was truly impressed with this guy. It was so dramatic that I could only shake my head. "How about you stay and join us for dinner? I bet Reese would also love that! Am I right, sweetheart?"

"Uhm, sure, Mom!" I said and called Mrs. Jones for the very first time.

It felt so strange and my heart couldn't help but pound loudly. I wasn't even sure if this was because I was nervous whenever Reese' mom was around or I was just engulfed by an unfamiliar excitement to treat someone as my mother. Nevertheless, I needed to sound confident and real.

Chase caressed the back of his neck. "I am afraid I have to decline for now, Mrs. Jones. I will have to attend a company meeting and sign a few reports." He then looked back at me. "I hope that's alright, Reese."

"Do your thing, Chase. It's okay. We have all the time in the world," I replied and faked a sweet smile.

"You're really a hardworking man, Chase. Your parents should be very proud of you."

"Thanks, Mrs. Jones. I'm only doing this for Reese. I want to give her the best life she deserves . . ."

"Sounds like a promise!" Mrs. Jones hugged Chase tightly and released him after a few seconds. "I was already eager for you and Reese to get married. But I have to respect and understand your parents' opinion of it. Perhaps I just really want my daughter to settle down and live with a man who truly loves her."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Jones. I'll do everything so we can get married as soon as possible," Chase assured her.

I didn't know why but I feel that Reese' parents were too eager for this marriage to happen too. But I wasn't in the right position to doubt their motives at all. After all, they weren't my biological parents . . . I only had to mind my own motives here.

When Chase left, Mrs. Jones went back to the living room. Her eyes were teary as if she was already on the verge of breaking down. She sat next to me and held my hands that rested on my lap.

She inhaled heavily. "I am sorry, Reese, if you feel that the Maxwells' are doubting to continue the wedding at this point . . . I wished I could do something more useful for them to be convinced that you're just doing alright, that you don't need to be checked by some psychiatrists."

I patted her back as her tears started to fall.

It was funny because in real life, I was indeed taking medications but of course for different reasons. Mrs. Jones wiped her tears away and caressed my hands gently.

"Don't worry about it, Mom. I'll get better soon and ensure to gain their approval and trust," I assured her.

She nodded her head and smiled at me. I didn't know how to comfort someone, but my mind told me to hug her . . . and so I did. She cried more and embraced me tightly.

"I'll be better, I promise, Mom. Hush now, please . . ." I said and closed my eyes as memories started to flash back in my mind.

It was the young version of me from the orphanage, saying those exact words as one of the teachers scolding me when I forgot my lines during our presentation. I was crying and telling them that I would be better after being scolded and taught that apology wasn't enough, that I should become better.

So every time I was humiliated, or whenever I failed and treated as worthless by my peers, I would stand up and promise myself that I'd fight back and do everything to get better.

For some reason, tears started pooling in my eyes as I felt that this kind of embrace was the only thing I've been waiting for ever since I was a child.

"Reese, I'm glad that you came to my life . . ." Mrs. Jones mumbled which stung my chest.

I was slapped back into reality and remembered that I was only living someone else's life, not mine.